FOOTBALL.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1925, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE N.S.W. TEAM. NOTABLE A BSENTEES. •SYDNEY, July 29. Before choosing the team, to tour New Zealand the selectors circularised the leading players of the State with a view to finding out who were available for selection. Of those approached only five were unavailable, but alter tin- team was selected, four of those chosen were compelled to drop out, so that nine of the supposed best will not be members of the party. I Two absentee* whose services would have been of much assistance to the team are Nothling and Ross, both full-backs. The former will be remembered as a member of the teams which toured the Dominion in 1921 and 192:5, while the latter got his cap this season! and played very ably against tile All Blacks. In the. absence of those two players, E. J. Reid has been chosen as one of the full-hacks, but in the opinion of many a mistake lias been made in changing him from the position of centre three-quarter. Against the All .Blacks ho showed very good form, both in attack and defence, and in the second match scored three tries. He was the only player ill the home hack division who endeavoured to heat ai opposing player, and was always try ing to make openings. As most of his colleagues generally ran from the side of the field, his absence will probably weaken the attacking power of the hacks a great deal. Morrisey, the other centre, is heavy and fast, and being the product of one of the local (alleges, has a good knowledge of the game, but is more stereotyped than Reid, and will probably be less effective through the absence of the latter. The most outstanding wing threequarter is Grossman, who has a great turn of speed, and is a prolific scorer in local matches. Given room to use his pace, he is likely to score, but in this season’s big games he was consistently jammed on the tomb line by his fellows, and was not at all clfeetive. lie is a useful place-kick, and with Thorn, will probably take most of the attempts at goal. MAIN WEAKNESS. The main weakness of the team will probably lie in the hall-hack position. Snell, of Newcastle, who played ill four matches against the New Zealand team, is too crude to have much success in the Dominion. He is inclined to loh his passes, and do far too much kicking. Although the first hall-hack chosen, he will probably have to play second fiddle to Meagher, who is much crisper in his movements.

Lawton is much the better of the two five-eights selected, and is playing extremely well at present. If he can gel plenty of the hall, he will lie a thorn in the side of his opponents. VERY FAIR FORWARDS. The forwards are a very even lot, and will he well led by Thorne. Their scrumming is good, though the hack row forwards are -prune to break awav too soon, and in New Zealand mulches they were frequently penalised lor olfsidc play. Their most not‘able weakness, however, was their liahil ol getting in front of the kicker at the kick out. and free kicks, and il was I fie rule rather than the exception for lho hall to be brought, back and a serum ordered. Morrissey. Snell, and l.aveoek are (lie only country players in the learn. Morrissey lias also represented his State at cricket. T. Smith loured the Dominion with the New South Wales team in 1921. and W. ('. Smith. Thorn. Bowers. George. Meagher. Blackwood and Greatorex in 192:5. Thorn has been appointed captain and Lawton vioocaptain. The team, as finally chosen, is as

Follows : S’a me. Hull. II ■;ht. W-lil. Fllll-haeks : A. F. Toby Y.M.C.A. A.it in.t; F. .1. li.-i.l Clobe-llalmain 0.11 pj.r Tli ree-«| mi t i ers. 0. ('. ('msMiiii ii 1 J.indwick 0.0 O.i A. .1. Howe s Kast-Suhs. 0.11 10.7 .V. ('. Smith Manly 5.10 12.0 I!. 11. Knot* Cnifor.sitv 0.(1 12.10 ('. V. Morrisscv Newcastle 5. in i;i.o S. Kini; West Sulmrhs 5.S 10.0 r. o. Diir.iii Clebe-Halinn. o.S m.n i>. A. Mulii ;iiii Kandwick 5.0 10.12 l''ivo-eii;ht s. w. J. (Journo Y.M.C.A. 5.0 10.0 •i'. 1,aw ton West Silhiulis 5. 10 12.12 1 lall-hacks. ir. Snell Nowcast le 5.0 10.1 F. Mfii<r!ior Ramlwiek ■•>.7 10.1 Forwa rds. K. Tarleton N'tli. Sydney o.i n 12.0 .1. T. Hlackwond K. Snhs. 5.10 11.10 T. Smith Manly a. in 12.11 II. Woods Y.M.C.A. o.i) 12.7 1 Palmer West Snhs. 5. 10 12.12 C. SI in w Nth. Sydney O.S 1.1.3 •T. Ford Clobc-lialninin 0.0 II.S If. .1 odd West Snhs. o. 10 1 o.S 1). Telford Manly 0.0 13.0 11. Hrva nt West Suburbs 5.0 12.S W haycock AValcha 5. in 12.7 !■:. .1. Thorn Manly O. I I 13.1 f. W. 0 real ores Y.M.C.A. fi.ft 12.1 w Ri.anoy Fast Subs. 5.11 12.0